A focus group of undecided voters who follow the conviction of former President Trump Reactions to the historic verdict last week were mixed, with many saying it would not be a deciding factor in their November decision.
A transcription The focus group released Tuesday includes 11 swing voters, all of whom have previously supported Trump and President Biden or Hillary Clinton at least once in 2016, 2020 and 2024, writes The New York Times.
Undecided voters were asked to discuss the impact of Trump’s guilty verdict at his trial in New York and how it will affect their likelihood of voting for him. Some people interviewed said they were still “torn” after the verdict in the New York v. Trump falsification of records trial, which made Trump the first former president to be convicted of a crime.
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President Biden and Donald Trump are facing off for the second straight election. (Left: Photographer: Victor J. Blue/Bloomberg via Getty Images, Right: (Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images))
Others said the verdict influenced their decision in November. However, for many of them, this is not a deciding factor.
“Inflation, the economy, immigration and abortion were the elements they believed would ultimately determine their votes,” the Times notes.
James, a 53-year-old from Iowa, commented: “They’ve been going after Trump since he was elected in 2016. Democracy is supposed to be about the will of the people. people in this country wanted to see him prosecuted for these charges. »
He then questioned whether the jury made the right decision in convicting Trump.
When other attendees expressed hesitation about voting for a convicted felon, Jonathan, a 37-year-old from Florida, said, “You have to remember why Trump is the choice of millions of people.” Trump represents a shock to the system. His supporters do not impose the same ethical standards on him. He’s the anti-hero, the Soprano, the ‘Breaking Bad,’ the guy who does bad things, who’s a bad guy but who does them in the name of the people he represents.”
“He’s the antihero, the Soprano, the ‘Breaking Bad,’ the guy who does bad things… but does them in the name of the people he represents.”
Hilary, 55, a California social worker who voted for Trump in 2016, said that while she refuses to vote for a convicted felon, she is not very enthusiastic about voting for Biden. His dilemma seemed to be shared by other members of the group as well.
“Despite my absolute concerns about my mental health and my political disagreements with Joe Biden, I cannot imagine voting for Donald Trump,” she told the New York Times.
Donald Trump arrives at Trump Tower, Thursday, May 30, 2024, after being found guilty of 34 counts of first-degree falsification of business records. (Felipe Ramales for Fox News Digital)
She added: “I can imagine voting for Biden and then needing a really strong drink.”
Frank, a 65-year-old from Arizona, responded: “The more I see Trump dealing with this problem, the less confidence I have in him. A president must be very different from a good person. And I have a problem. with his integrity and ethics. I probably turn to Biden and I don’t like Biden…I don’t have ethics either.
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Jonathan then doubled down on his Sopranos metaphor to defend the former president to the New York Times.
“I can imagine voting for Biden and then needing a really strong drink.”
“Trump is not a moral compass for many of his supporters. He is the villain who will do things on our behalf. He is the Tony Soprano or the Walter White… he is an anti-hero.”
The group was more closely aligned when asked about the state of American democracy in light of the verdict.
“It’s on a dangerous road,” said Jorge, a 52-year-old Californian.
“It’s absolute hyperbolic mayhem,” responded Logan, 31, an Oklahoma attorney.
387931 02: James Gandolfini as Tony Soprano and Edie Falco as Carmela Soprano seek advice in the hit HBO television series, “The Sopranos” (Grade 3). (Photo by HBO) (Getty Images)
When voters were asked if they had made up their minds, many still had reservations about supporting a specific candidate.
Jonathan, who defended the former president several times during the panel, said that for him it came down to the economy.
“As an independent, my No. 1 factor is the economy. Full disclosure: Under Biden, I make more money. But under Trump, my money was worth more. And that’s why I’m undecided. I don’t don’t know which is “The better side of the coin. Right now, I’m waiting to see who Trump chooses as vice president,” he said.
Hillary maintained that she “can’t imagine voting for Trump. Obviously, (independent Robert F.) Kennedy (Jr.) is not a factor for me. Biden’s — oof. Oof. I Gotta love it,” she said.
John, 58, of Pennsylvania, said the Trump verdict turned him away from President Biden.
“Well, I would say Biden is off the table after today,” he said. “I think Biden looks unsightly and incredibly weak. I can imagine a scenario in which many undecideds, who may not pull the lever for Trump, turn out for Robert Kennedy Jr.”
“I was very critical of Trump in 2019, and that’s what led to his first impeachment when he was trying to fish and go after Biden politically. I thought that was a mistake. He lost my vote on that in 2020. But I don’t know. I guess I thought Joe Biden was above that,” John added.
Jorge agreed.
“Biden has his hands dirty on this. He’s a very weak candidate right now, so they need to weaken Trump even more,” he said.
“It seems like this verdict is going to energize people toward Trump. Maybe if they were apathetic or weren’t sure…it will kind of light a fire in them.”
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Although she leaned toward Biden throughout the discussion, Shantel, 33, a California native, said she predicted a Trump victory in November.
“I think it’s because I see more and more people leaning toward Trump these days, as time goes on. It seems like this verdict is going to energize people toward Trump. Maybe they were listless or unsure, maybe it would be kind of lights, a fire in them,” she said.
